Clintonville Ban a Tough Nut to Crack?

Discussing Clintonville Elementary’s recent decision to ban nuts in school due to student allergies, Chris Peterson wrote today on the North Haven Way:

What if a couple of children develop an allergy to apples (yes, that allergy exists)? Will the school bans all apple products as well? Also take into account the number of children that have this type of allergy. It’s not hundreds or dozens, it’s several. So is that all it takes for the school to unleash a policy that affects the entire population? As one parent pointed out, if several students have asthma, will they ban gym classes and recess?

Key to this debate is finding the balance between mitigating potential risks, and making responsible administrative decisions that secure the safety of students.